Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

UTEP football coach Kugler proud of beat up team

UTEP senior Roy Robertson-Harris embraced coach Sean Kugler after he was introduced with other seniors Saturday. The team's final season game in Saturday at North Texas.(Photo: VICTOR CALZADA/EL PASO TIMES)Buy Photo

"They showed a lot of heart, as a coach that's all I care about," he said at his Monday press conference. "People judge you on wins and losses, but I judge a team on character and heart. I could not be more proud.

"I was very proud of last year's senior leadership and I don't view this team any differently. They could have given up, they could have thrown in the towel, they could have quit. They've shown me they're fighters.

"I'm very proud of these seniors. The more their backs are against the wall, the more injuries they've had, the bleaker it's been, the more they've fought."

They will fight on without Jerome Daniels and Hayden Plinke, who are both have casts on their legs. Jimmy Musgrave is questionable with a concussion - "At the end of the game he thought I was Uncle Bob," Kugler said - and Kelvin Fisher is questionable with a hip pointer.

UTEP does have a pair of healthy quarterbacks in freshmen Ryan Metz and Kavika Johnson and Kugler said he is going to mix in both of them like he did against Louisiana Tech.

He noted that Metz injured his back after a hit that led to an ejection, but "Metz is one tough kid."

The Miners will also continue to use a tailback by committee that could include Trayvon Hughes, who was not available last week with an ankle injury. Kugler was also obviously pleased with the big game by freshman TK Powell, who in his second action of the season had 124 yards.

"TK Powell was outstanding," Kugler said, noting that he and Alvin Jones will be the team's honorary co-captains this week.

The run game will probably be key in this game, as the forecast calls for a 90 percent chance of rain Saturday in Denton. North Texas coach Mike Canales predicted the game, which starts at 1:30 p.m., will be over by 4 p.m.

"We're anticipating a weather game, a high around 45 (degrees), rain," Kugler said. "As a fat guy I kind of like it.

"Both teams try to run the football, it's the same mentality with both teams. (North Texas) has been through tough times this year like we have, I'm sure they view this as an opportunity to get a win."

UTEP does too, and for all their problems, battling to the end hasn't been one.

Bret Bloomquist may be reached at 546-6151; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @bretbloomquist on Twitter.